Half a dozen new wildflower beds have been planted in Royston thanks to an environmental science student.

Abbie Robinson, who is currently studying at university, contacted North Herts Council to see if they could introduce more patches of wildflowers in the town.

She said: "I proposed this to the council following my interest in the environment and what I have been learning during my university course – we really need to help our local bees.

"I identified a few areas that I felt would lend themselves to wildflower planting and the council have been extremely helpful and worked with me to bring my proposal into reality.

Royston Crow: The new wildflower beds have been planted in RoystonThe new wildflower beds have been planted in Royston (Image: North Herts Council)

"There are now multiple wildflower patches in the town for people to enjoy!"

The wildflowers will help support bees and other pollinators, which are in drastic decline, while also brightening up the landscape.

Abbie added: "The flowers add a bright pop of colour and hopefully will make people smile.

"I’ve already received a great response from residents so far, with many comments and photos on our Royston community Facebook page.

"It is really lovely to see the work being appreciated, and I hope this is a project we can make bigger in the future!"

The wildflower beds have been planted across Royston by the council's grounds maintenance contractor John O'Connor at Housman Avenue, Maltings Close, Coombelands, The Warren, Shepherd Close and Newmarket Road/Icknield Walk.

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Cllr Steve Jarvis, executive member for environment and leisure at North Herts Council, said: "Improving biodiversity and supporting wildlife is already a key part of the council’s greenspace strategy with climate change threatening our local environment.

"We had a number of wilding sites in Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock so it was a great opportunity to work with Abbie to see where in Royston we could plant wildflowers to provide much needed habitat for bees and other pollinators."

The wildflowers at Housman Avenue, pictured, are the 'Euroflor Sarah Bouquet' from Rigby Taylor, which aims to achieve maximum biodiversity while avoiding a dominance of bright colours.

Flowers used include China aster, cornflower, sunflower, strawflower, sweet alyssum, dwarf lupin and gloriosa daisy.